the glass ceiling

glass ceiling

The systemic discrimination (likened to a physical barrier) against certain groups in the workplace, especially women, that prevents them from advancing. Many people believe that a glass ceiling exists within the tech industry because not many women hold prominent positions in the field.
See also: ceiling, glass
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the glass ceiling

COMMON If you talk about the glass ceiling, you mean the opinions and attitudes which prevent people, especially women, from being given the most important jobs. At the age of 43 she became the highest ranking woman officer in the country, only to find she'd hit the glass ceiling. A woman judge has at last succeeded in breaking through the glass ceiling into the Court of Appeal, the second highest court in the land.
See also: ceiling, glass
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • glass ceiling
  • Jim Crow
  • play the (something) card
  • play the card
  • BIPOC
  • behind the curve
  • glass over
  • the (something) card
  • the race card
  • race card
References in periodicals archive
Holly Buttner, Women Entrepreneurs: Moving Beyond the Glass Ceiling, Thousand Oaks, California, 97, 33-4.
Gender Equity
In order to sustain that growth, however, the glass ceiling must be broken.
Breaking the glass ceiling
A final possible explanation is that discrimination against females and other minorities contributes to the glass ceiling. The latter explanation perhaps is discerned best by examining cases of sexual discrimination in the U.S.
Women can shatter job barriers
The glass ceiling is one key barrier that impedes women's career advancement.
Supportive leadership behavior key to breaking the glass ceiling in religious communities in Malawi
She broke the glass ceiling; she was and continues be an inspiration around the world, especially in Pakistan.'
Aseefa Bhutto pays tribute to mother 'Benazir Bhutto' on twitter
Helen Brand OBE, ACCA's chief executive, says: '2018 is the 40th anniversary of the phrase 'glass ceiling' first being used by business consultant Marilyn Loden.'Looking forward, if there's one area where I wish to see sustained progress, it's to ensure career ladders breakthrough the glass ceiling for women.We have to take a wider view and seek progress on social mobility - unequal access to opportunities still exists for manywomen and men.
ACCA calls for business leaders to show real progress on diversity, social mobility issues
A HUDDERSFIELD area woman has drawn on her experiences of smashing through "the glass ceiling" to write a book to help women excel in business.
Wonder woman Jo tells how to get to the top
The program, "Leading Ladies of the Capital Markets: From the Ground Floor to the Glass Ceiling," will feature a dynamic panel, including Alice Connell, TIAA-CREF; Gentry Hoit, Shorenstein Company; Merrie Frankel, Moody's Investors Services; and Carolyn Sullivan, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker.
Ladies kick off NYCREW season
One woman who has broken through the glass ceiling in her career is Catherine Hill.
Market director proves women can work way to top
WOMEN may be having a hard time breaking through the glass ceiling but we're fairly pushing open the doors of business.
Maggie Barry: Women graft while men go for glory
This makes sense, considering that nearly as many reported hitting the glass ceiling or encountering some kind of discrimination in their previous career.
An Office of Her Own
The initiative aims to celebrate the ones who have successfully smashed the glass ceiling. These women can act as strong role models for everyone and motivate them to harness their inner potential.
Elevating deprived women is social responsibility
The glass ceiling that's been blamed for denying millions of women equal footing in their respective careers has been shattered in the residential industry.
Ladies turn the mean streets into Petticoat Lane
'Many believe it has become even harder for women to win promotions and hold on to them, and that not only is the glass ceiling still very much present, but women are also aware of hitting it at an early stage in their careers,' said Paul Clutton, director of Cardiff's Professional Recruitment Wales.
Cracking the glass ceiling barrier
If the resounding thud of your head hitting the glass ceiling has become commonplace, take control.
Empowering Yourself: The Organizational Game Revealed